Steering Gear Box

[VeeTwin60]

I have a power steering fluid leak, and have determined that it is coming from the gasket/seal at the top of the steering gear box.  I've spoken to a couple of local shops and found that it is actually easier to change out the gear box itself, versus changing that seal.

My question is two-fold:

1.) Has anyone had experience with this and found it to be true?

-and-

2.) How difficult is it to do?  Are there any special tools needed?  Is there a walk-through available anywhere?

Thanks in advance

[VileZambonie]

Most often the bearing pack on the sector shaft wears out and that's why the seals start to leak. There are 3 seals at the bottom of the shaft and if you successfully get them out and install new ones you are probably going to end up with the same leak again.

I used to pull these gearboxes apart and rebuild them becuase a reman was not cheap. Now they're cheaper than the parts to rebuild them so I advise just getting a reman unit. If you want to rebuild yours setting these up is sort of similar to setting up a ring & pinion. After you gut the whole box and hopefully don't lose all of the recirculating balls you put the entire assembly back together with all new seals and lube up the ball nut good (lol) set the worm bearing preload (I use an inch pound dial type torque wrench but a beam will work) Then set up the sector shaft and adjust your lash. If you screw it up you just wasted a lot of time and money. I think a reman gear box retails for around $160 at autozone and if you know someone you can beat them up a little bit too on the price.